Let's be honest, when was the last time you gave your window blinds a good clean? Blinds can hold a multitude of nasty surprises including dust mites, allergens and dirt so it's a wonder why they're often overlooked when cleaning. Don't worry though, we've got you covered with our guide for simple and quick tips on how to clean blinds like a pro.

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How to Clean Blinds

Note: This cleaning process applies to wooden, aluminium, plastic and bamboo blinds.

What You'll Need:

• Vacuum
• 2 microfiber cloths
• Liquid dish soap
• Natural, mild oil soap (for bamboo)
• Bucket
• Stepladder
• Clothespin

Tip: Use a clothespin to mark which blind you're cleaning, so if you need to take a break you know where you left off.

Step 1: Lower Blinds

Completely lower your blinds so they are fully extended. Make sure they are tilted closed, but not completely closed as they will overlap each other.

Step 2: Vacuum Dust

Working from top to bottom, take your vacuum attachment brush and vacuum from left to right for horizontal blinds, and from top to bottom for vertical blinds. Do not vacuum vertical blinds from bottom to top or you may unhook the blind. Working from top to bottom also allows dust to fall down onto the sill which can be vacuumed up after. Tilt the blinds the opposite way and repeat this process.

Step 3: Wash

Fill a bucket with warm water and add three drops of liquid dish soap. For bamboo blinds, use a mild oil soap that is safe to use on wood. Take your microfibre cloth, dunk it into the water and wring it out so it’s damp. Wrap it around your hand and wipe the blinds one slat at a time.

Step 4: Spot Treat Stains

If you have hard stains on your blinds, such as grease, you can either add one tablespoon of baking soda into your soapy water, or make a solution using one cup of vinegar and one cup of water. Dip the microfibre cloth into the solution and then blot the stain.

Step 5: Dry

Using your second dry microfibre cloth, run it over the slats to pick up any excess moisture.

How to Clean Fabric Blinds

What You'll Need:

• Vacuum
• Microfibre cloth
• Dry cleaner spot treatment spray
• Stepladder

The best way to clean fabric blinds is to vacuum them regularly. If you have vertical blinds, use a lint roller to pick up dust or pet hairs. In the case that your blinds have stains, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Spray

Take a dry microfibre cloth and spray a dry cleaner’s spot treatment onto the cloth.

Step 2: Blot

Then blot the stain with the dampened cloth until it has disappeared. Before doing this, spot-test a less visible part of the blinds to make sure the spot remover will not remove the fabric dye.

Step 3: Dry

Using your second dry microfibre cloth, run it over the slats to pick up any excess moisture.

If your blinds are non-washable, it may require dry cleaning. Silk, wool, linen and fibreglass-blend roman shades should be dry cleaned.

Tip: If you want a time-saving solution for non-wood or fabric blinds, take down each set of blinds and soak them in the bathtub with a little bit of dish soap. Use a soft sponge or cloth to go over both sides of the slates to remove any dirt. Drain the bathtub and refill it with clean water to rinse the blinds. Lay the blinds on top of a few bath towels to soak up water. Then hang them back up.

How to Clean Cellular Blinds

What You'll Need:

• Vacuum
• Feather duster
• Hair dryer
• 2 microfibre cloths
• Bucket
• Liquid dish soap
• Stepladder

Step 1: Remove Dust

Use a hair dryer (on the cool setting) to blow the dust out of the cells (be sure to vacuum anything that fell to the ground!). Use a feather duster, hair dryer (on a cool setting), or your vacuum brush attachment to dust the front and back of your shades.

If your shade has a track, vacuum the track to get rid of any dead bugs or dust. Then fill a bucket with water and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Dip a microfibre cloth in the water and wipe the track clean.

Step 2: Clean Stains

If you have stains on your shades, take a microfibre cloth and dip it into a bucket of cold water that has three drops of liquid dish soap. Then wring out the cloth and blot the stain gently. Do not use warm water, stain remover or bleach as they will harm the fabric. Do not rub the stain either. Blot the spot dry with another clean cloth.

Tip: Cellular blinds should not be dry cleaned.

How to Clean Cords

For dirty or stained cords, take a stain remover spray and spray on the cords. Let it sit for a few minutes then wipe the solution off with a damp cloth.

Tip: Enjoyed this article? Then you might also like:

• A Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring For Your New Blinds
• All the Different Types of Curtain Rails, Explained
• Everything You Need to Consider When Measuring for Curtains